Nintendo Direct: New Nintendo 3DS Models Coming to Australia and New Zealand on 21st November

Woooooooooo!!!!! I love you Nintendo Australia!

I hope the boost in sales in Australia makes up for the drop in sales in America and Europe. Any informed customer on the fence about it knows it isn't safe to buy one until the new one comes out... good that it is coming out there, but stupid that it is very far from a global launch. Sometimes it feels like Nintendo thinks people are stupid. In this day and age, they can't keep hoping nobody outside of the country will see the direct...

what? i cant believe theyre giving it to places other than japan and not NA or EU. why wait? whats the point?

If a product launches down under first, that means they are testing the water to see the sales reaction. Or maybe Nintendo just doesn't have enough units to sell in US or EUR.

This just proves that Nintendo is truly unpredictable! I've never imagine something like this. Lucky people from Australia and New Zealand. Have fun with the New 3DS!! I'm jelly

and whats up with that price jack? didnt i hear under $200 for the xl???

Well at least us other people can save up and use our newly bought handhelds for a while longer.

Region 2, eh? Mmmh...has anyone in UK ever ordered from a AUS online shop? Any recommendations?

DAMMIT!! I'm broke! WHY?!!! WHY NOW?! I didn't have a problem with this coming into 2015 but now that it's coming earlier here... it kinda kills me!

@SanderEvers At a much higher price.

On my birthday! YES!

@Damo Think the firmware is the same if you select an EU Country on an AUS 3DS then it is ok. (Or at least it was). There only was PAL NTSCU NTSCJ those three.

@SanderEvers I was just going to say that. Australia are PAL region too right?

I could import but I think I'll wait till Europe gets it in different colours in the summer.

On the bright side, Australia get ignored a lot don't they? So this is a great thing, lucky Australia

Ftr, that direct is tottaly worth watching for non-Aussies, it's the first english presentation on the new 3DS and it's quite informative

@unrandomsam: Not necessarily.

The RRP for the 3DS XL is 170 Euros, which converts to $246 Australian.

A wii mini first in canada style pilot?! Anyway, wouldnt get it yet as no software exclusives on it. Better to release it alongside Xenoblade 3DS surely?

ok so anybody know what $250 in australia money converts to in US money?

Oh my god! For once, a release date has made me really excited! And it's at a good price!
Metallic Blue XL at launch, baby! Hopefully the amiibos launch before/just a little after this so we can use them with Smash 3DS.

@3dcaleb Gamestuffs cost more for us anyway, from what I hear the original 3DS was $150 there and $250 here, which I believe was disproportional with price conversions. (Of course, that's ignoring extra cost added from shipping, but I have no idea about that.)

@3dcaleb 1. Because normally Australia gets stuff after Europe gets stuff, and Europe gets stuff in 1 to 49 months after America does.
2. Test run to look at the demand, I suppose?
3. Australia is close to Japan. It's almost-Japan, in a way. Nega-Japan. Mirror-Japan?
4. Koalas.

Interesting at the end- it's confirmed a boxed release of the Phoenix Wright trilogy and ultimate NES remix. Good for Australia as they're usually the last!

@3dcaleb Takes time to manufacture enough. ANZ has a small enough base that they can do it sooner.

I'm so jealous! But at least we can hope for an early Blunty's review.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say it was simply more practical to ship New 3DS's to Australia in time for the holidays then it was for any other region.

Being next door to Japan and all.

As excited as I am for the new 3DS, I am glad is isn't coming over to the US until next year. My wallet this holiday season is dead and I don't mind waiting to get it. I also want to see what the cases are going to be like and if they are going to be region locked like I have heard they may be.

Yes, yes, yes, YYYEEESSS!!! Nintendo Australia FTW!

I can't believe Nintendo releases this in Australia and New Zeland!

But I'm still worried about that SD card thing issue there.......

Did I just hear that the New Nintendo 3DS wont come with an AC Adapter, and now we hafta go out and buy one separately (if we don't have them already)? This makes no sense.... Also I'm quite disappointed, as I wanted to see it come to the US a lot sooner...

also - i just finished watching the direct and there was a few things i really didnt like. when they were showing how fast it supposedly downloaded games and made it seem like it only took seconds they were speeding it up alot. then they showed the old one side by side downloading the same game and it was over halfway done when the new one finished, so the new one is not even double the speed of the old one. and next is the auto-brighness adjusting, you better be able to disable that because i dont want it adjusting the levels whenever it wants or when a shadow or a light hits the sensor. and then theres the head tracking thing. i dont see that working as well as they say, maybe it will, but what if your playing in the dark? im defenitely going to have to see and play one of these before i even consider getting one. oh yea, no charger. what!?!?

Nerf AU and NZ!!!

Interesting, so basically Europeans can import from Australia their PAL console already now in 2014 as Australia is in the same PAL region.

... Guys, Xenoblade for N3DS is coming out here in 2015. In English. So it won't be Japan-exclusive. I think that was worth mentioning in the article.

@USSVoyager74659 Yes, though if you have a charger from an older 3DS or a DSi, you keep using it.
@3dcaleb Agreed on the auto brightness/3D.

@USSVoyager74659 Well, the 3ds xl doesn't come with a charger in Japan, Europe or Australia. We're used to it.

People are not thinking straight. There are a few reasons why EU & US are getting it in 2015.
1. Production. No way they can produce the amount of N3ds units needed to cover such large markets.
2. Logistics. These consoles are shipped not flown, that means they need to be produced and shipped before they can be sold. Shipping takes ages but its cost effective when moving large amounts across large distances.

...Oh my god, don't tell me they'll actually use that name outside of Japan?!

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, IWATA?!

@RupeeClock Could you please share Nintendo's answer with the rest of us when you receive it? Thanks in advance

@Melkac Exactly. Apparently the name 'Wii U' was enough to confuse people. What the hell are people going to think of a 'New 3ds'?! If a shop is selling a new 3ds, people will have to ask if its a new old 3ds or a new new 3ds. Imagine looking on Ebay at used new 3dses. It's just going to be a mess.

@RupeeClock And also let me know where you plan to import from? I contacted EBGames but they said they don't do international shipping, and I can't order from Amazon Australia.

I'm pretty jealous but I can't begrudge those guys this one; they so rarely get anything Nintendo related before the rest of us in the UK/US/EU. I'm actually happy for them.

Well at least we know Xenoblade Chronicles is definitely coming to the west now.

Sooooooooooooooold!!! Though it does sick that that beautiful New 3DS with Super Nintendo buttons isn't an XL :/

@RupeeClock My first thought was Play-Asia as well. Maybe they will make an exception for this? They only stand to make more money; I'm sure plenty of us in Europe want the console ASAP!

So technically if we change our 3D viewing angle, there would be a brief blurred view before it is corrected? Or what if the camera had some errors or you were playing in utter darkness? Don't get me wrong, I love the new 3D, but is there a way to... 'switch' it off?
@SanderEvers exactly. So I kinda sorta wish I was still living in PAL region for the new system.

Are those prices in AU dollars or US dollar ?

@Faruko Why would a price be given for a region it's not coming out in?

What a brilliant surprise from Nintendo Australia! I have just pre-ordered the white new 3ds, roll on the 21st of November, I cant wait.

@RupeeClock I also contacted them. It makes sense for them to stock it and I'm sure they'll recognise the demand. I'd like to get it from a trusted seller like Play Asia rather than hunt it down on ebay or whatever.
EDIT: however it may not be easy for them just to stock an Aussie product. They may need an office in Australia or something...

WTH?! Is this a way to test the western version? This is SO WEIRD.

Anyway its PAL if any of you fellow EU gamers want it. I can wait a little longer

At first I was shocked about the high price but then realized it are AUSTRALIAN dollars. Maybe australia is first because it is closer to japan?

So Aus and Japan are getting the new 3ds this year(and apparently EU users can make use of it if they are able to import one) and EU is getting the transparent ORAS 2DS models...

Would be nice to see if NA could get a surprise hardware announcement as well. :-l

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE AUSSIES DON'T DESERVE THIS BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOPE AUSTRALIA DELAYED TILL 2017 BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I HOPE AUSSIE NEW 3DS WILL ALL HAVE A HORRIBLE ERROR THAT MAKES THE SYSTEMS EXPLODE BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DISLIKE AND THAT GUY WAS SO BORING GOD I HOPE HE LOSES HIS JOB AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET HIS CHILDREN ANYTHING IN CHRISTMAS HE'S THAT EVIL okay I'm over it now

@RupeeClock Sounds good. I got a bit ahead of myself I guess; we have all of October and then some before the console's released! I hope we can preorder.

Nice to see a country that get screwed over a lot in gaming get something outside of Japan first.

So.. 21. November, huh?
Smash for Wii U confirmed to get released next year in Australia! :<
It's a fair trade-off. :3

Just kidding.

@RainbowGazelle
nonsense. 3dsxl come with charger

Looks like the Aussies will be domnating Miiverse on Super Smash Bros 3DS then, lol

@Drawdler normal 3ds was actually $350 mate

damn i just bought a yoshixl. this is great but i wish i could get the xl with snes button colours

Over 700 000 3ds units sold in Australia, pop of nearly 24mil, so nearly 3% of the Australian population have a 3DS or variation of. I know it's units sold to retailers, but even still, it's a pretty decent uptake for the console. I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up around 5% by the end of the 3DS' life span.

220 AUD =178 USD

So is going to cost 170-180 and 200-210 for the XL

Great price imo

Hmm. I'm assuming that the price includes sales tax, and the obligatory PAL price shuffle.

Great price, then!

Are there any games being released with it?

Because if Nintendo should learn anything from the last two hardware releases, you need to have software to play on the thing (and I know you can play regular DS and 3DS games on it, but it will need 2-3 swish graphic games to make an impact). Maybe this is why they're waiting in Europe and the U.S.

Also that music....MP3 please.

I hope that it's possible to import one. I'd love to have something to make me better at Smash Bros.

EDIT: Also, it would make the main circle pad less likely to break. So that's cool.

Those are the same prices as the 3DS systems currently are in AU apparantly. In other words these SKUs are replacing those.

For anyone comparing price remember sales tax in AU is 10% while for Europe it is 20%+.

As for "its not fair you suck McBain", Australia has a population of around 23 million, that is less than Canada. So much few units are needed compared to anywhere else.

News on the ground is that original 3DS SKU has not been seen in stores for months down in Australia.

@Faruko
actually $249.99 in austrailian dollars converts to about $221.50 in US dollars. so NOT a great price, I think.

Great news, and about time that AUS/NZ gamers get some special treatment. The last thing that AUS/NZ gamers got that I wanted was Snowboard Kids 2 on my N64, so I imported it! I also worked out that the price of the New XL converts to around £136, and although it's more likely that the system will retail for more than that, it does seem like a great price for UK gamers!

Shocker. Who would of thought Nintendo cared for the lesser Australia and New Zealand regions lol.

@Emblem my friend u are the sound of reason that is lost within these jealous, bitter assumptions!! I must agree and will admit im jelly but also i understand why they didnt but im also happy for Australia cuz they dont really get what we all get to be honest. I agree the amounts to be shipped for this Holiday season would've been enormous plus they may want to have Xenoblade Chronicles ready for us at launch to justify and show off the reason we should all upgrade. Special edition Limited Edition New 3ds Xenoblade bundle…day 1 for me

@dAviD7 Oh, I just remembered it cost $100 more than the US. Been some time so I forgot.

@LEGEND_MARIOID Unfortunatly, that's been confirmed for a 2015 release in Japan.

@BlueBlurIxM - Im glad somebody mentioned the date coincidence. Now Im wondering when SSB for 3DS releases in that region?

The date does bode well for amiibo on that date though, NFC to me is the higgest addition.

@rjejr I dunno if you're joking, but we get Smash the same day as the US/UK, October 4. No amiibo date confirmed yet though (They'll probably be out by the end of the year, but EB Games site doesn't even list them for "Holiday 2014")

Let's hope NoE and NoA use the time to come up with a different name for this model.

@3dcaleb #australiatax

@Drawdler - Thanks, didnt know the date, was honestly asking, would have made sense to release on the same date, would have made up a little for you guys waiting 6 weekes for the game. Would be a good amiibo date though. Have we ever actually seen amiibo in the the 3DS SSB? I dont recall any, need to go look.

@RupeeClock There have to be people at Nintendo that know it's a bad name, they really need to speak up.

Aw, you guys are lucky! But I suppose it's fair enough.

Would've been nice if US got the New 3DS this year since I need to replace my old one asap.

yay for my fans across the world, boo for me! Is this a test market for Nintendo, keeping it close to home to see how well it performs?

@sillygostly Don't forget the AC adapter which adda another 10 bucks.. ;(

WOOHOOOOOOOOO! COME ON AUSSIE!!!!! AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE! OI! OI! OI!

Thanks Nintendo Australia, you ROCK! Heck yes, November 21st lock it in, Metallic Blue 3DS XL, you will be mine! Too bad Xenoblade Chronicles isn't getting released alongside it, despite already being in English on Wii. Guess they still have to work the text in there so it fits & is still viewable on the 3DS screen as opposed to a TV. I'll probably keep my current 3DS XL & streetpass myself heaps. Can't wait!!

A bitter contrats lol

new model new games more wii ports and originals!

My guess is that we'll have the New 3DS in time for the holiday season in both EU and NA. I'm also going to guess that Nintendo is waiting to announce the release date because of the special edition 3DS systems that are out now or coming soon.

YAY! Best news I've heard all day!! So happy to be an Aussie! I hope other regions get it announced soon too. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!

It took a moment to sink in when I started reading my Nintendo newsletter, but once it did I flipped out! Nintendo's actually doing something extremely nice for us Aussies! I'm slightly disappointed that the base model won't be in black at launch, but white would be my first choice in colour anyway. The only thing that would make this news better is if the new Pokémon games are out on the same day...pardon? They are?! WOOHOO!

Well, this is good news for Australians and New Zealanders...time to get back to waiting...

We usually get pretty screwed over for gaming. But every once in a while we get a gem like this. Thanks Nintendo AU, thanks so much! Shovel Knight and Gunvolt in the eShop don't even have release dates for Australia yet.

When I brought the 3DS on Launch it was original $300, so $215 feels okay to me. I hope we are able to transfer eShop titles or I won't be getting it though..

Since this appears to be in line with the EU prices, it also indicates that US prices will be $179 and $219.

If I recall correctly, the dsi was the same $169 at launch as the ds lite. So the $179 seems right since that's the post-ambassador price. And since xl versions are $40 more, voila.

Comments on the ND and my first real look at the "new" 3DS -

They talked about amiibo on "new" 3DS - NFC to me is a big addition - but showed squat, zip, zero, nothing game play wise on the new 3DS. He even said it would be added later to SSB for 3DS. So amiibo are coming, and NFC is built in to "new" 3DS, but there isn't any gameplay being shown yet. hmm...

Why make Xenoblade Chronicles the poster boy for what the "new" 3DS can do when it looks like dreck compared to the Wii version? And MH4U looks so much better as well, even on the "old" "original" or is it just plain "3DS" now?

"New" has to go. A side effect of naming the new system "new" that Nintendo probably didn't put a lot of thought into is what do we call the current model? At least when Apple named the 3rd edition "new" iPad it had iPad 2 as buffer between iPad and new iPad.

I like that they moved Start and Select to their Gamepad locations for consistency. Also several other modifications so it looks like they were really trying to improve the overall experience. I like the new sound slider location as well but admittedly I have a thing for symmetry.

Wow, that new 3D effect is pretty impressive. I always had a problem w/ that 3D effect being so hard to keep in focus but if that video is anything to go by they've really improved it a lot.

I predict US version will come w/ a charger, so no worries there.

Next years birthday present decided a year early, easiest decision ever. Glad I waited.

Ok, I don't want to sound like a jerk or anything but.....Why do they get special treatment? Yeah, I'm pretty sure the market over there is an important. But to be honest here, that's a dumb move by Nintendo (Again). Why couldn't they give us UK & U.S. market a release, especially U.S. . Knowing that this year, is quite important. Because of the new technology that are coming out, like the Amazon Fire HD X ($99) or the Amazon Fire Kid edition, just to name a few. They should of gave us a release in November to where "Black friday" shopping is. Sometimes, Nintendo doesn't think. This is unfair.

I think it will be released worldwide this year. I have no reason to think so, I just do.

Are the face plates region locked?

@kereke12 "Sometimes, Nintendo doesn't think"

And yet you don't know the reasoning behind their release dates.

Good for you Australia and New Zealand. You deserve getting something before everyone else for once!

Wow, Australia and New Zealand are pretty lucky!

I must say, I agree with those that think "New 3DS" is a bad name. But, I think Nintendo fans will be getting this regardless of the name. The ones that isn't getting one, probably wouldn't get one even if the name was better. Maybe Nintendo realised this. For example: I'm getting one, but I still think the name is really bad.

@Interneto — well to me, this is unfair.

@SuperMalleo — **Sadface** No

Wow I did not see that coming,good for them its about time they got something first

Wow, to be honest I am an Aussie and even then im so used to getting everything nintendo related last that i'm not really phased by this, one big thing isnt gong to change a thousand small things that actually did annoy me. But to all those complaing about us having 'special' treatment just shhhh, frankly i'm just happy we have something for once at all, gotta remember everything here is overpriced as hell, as well as the fact we barely have club nintendo, eshop support ect. Nintendo is dying in Australia however this could be the start of a comback!?

I still don't see why they just can't release it everywhere at the same time. Can't be that hard to pull off.

Woah! I guess Australia/New Zealand deserve it

Well this certainly made my day! I'm still in shock that Nintendo knows we exist. I'm still facing the dilemma of what version to pick. I really want the customisable faceplates but I also want the larger screens argh! Also don't want to give up my zelda 3DS XL

So jealous. Have fun though! Still disappointed about the name.

@RainbowGazelle Idk... You guys may be used to it, but its still flawed... You can't just sell a device and give them no means to recharge it... It just seems like a they're trying to make more money, charging them full price for it and then forcing them to buy a charger for it. (Let me end this statement by saying that I'm an all Nintendo fan, and that's the way its gonna stay)

@Drawdler That's the thing though... What if someone was buying a 3DS for the very first time, they're not gonna know how to charge it, or that they'll need to buy a power cord to recharge it.

I would be more than happy to buy a new 3DS every year as long as the older game cartridges and game downloads continue to work on each new 3DS system.

Whut?

twitches eye

@Stu13 LOL. Best comment ever.
I agree with most here: Way jealous but AU and NZ deserve to finally have a turn in the spotlight. After all...they are STILL waiting for Shovel Knight. Lol. But yeah I am also wondering if this release date lining up with the leaked Smash U release date is coincidental. Thats gonna be an epic month for gamers everywhere, Ill tell ya that right now.

Great means we all have to shell out £250 for a new 3DS xl and sell are old models on ebay to get funds to play the new games.
The 3DS is getting on now why not just say a new model i bet at E3 next year they say a new handheld just after we all but this new model.

They're the test market for the west I'm guessing. Lucky, lucky southerners. When they used Canada as a test market is was for the Wii mini, sigh.

@kereke12 Being it unfair or not don't say "Sometimes, Nintendo doesn't think" without knowing the truth behind their schedule.

@UnseatingKDawg - B/c if they release the "new" 3DS in the US now then how are they going to sell all these new old 3DS which are on sale this week?

Walmart listing w/ old 3DS as "new"

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/walmart_lists_blue_and_red_smash_bros_3ds_xl_consoles_for_september_launch_in_north_america

Target listing old 3DS as "new" (sorry, it's on page 14, can't link directly)

http://weeklyad.target.com/site/#/copiague-ny-11726/page/Target-140921

I'm sure the US will get the new "new" 3DS as soon as retailers run out of stock of the old model Though if it comes out too soon after Christmas that's really going to suck for just about everyone who gets one of these new old models for Christmas So my money is on March.

Nice thing. But I hope that not so many blockbusters (Mario, Zelda) will come only for New 3DS :/

for what you get with the new 3ds, it's definitely not worth the price at all. As for Australia and New Zealand getting the new 3ds before the west, that's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Do you even care about your western fans anymore Nintendo, cause it sure feels like you don't anymore...

@USSVoyager74659 I totally agree with you, it's just ridiculous.
@Kurtz Oh, I didn't realise it did in Australia. Okay, in Japan and Europe the 3ds xls don't come with chargers.

Enjoy the New 3DS, Aussies! I feel like it's about time you guys got a better deal than Europe/NA~ :3

@RupeeClock I see... thanks for the effort, and keep me updated if you can!

Wait... What?

Im glad that Australia and New Zealand are finally getting something first, but that won't stop me from being a wee bit grumpy. I need a new 3DS since my 3 year-old one is starting to waste away, and I don't want to get a normal 3DS if there's going to be a new one...

Good thing it won't come this Christmas since I'll probably wasting my money buying Super Smash Bros. 4 Wii U, Bayonetta 2, Ace Attorney Trilogy, and Pokemon Omega Ruby that I probably won't have any left for the new system.

Lucky nuts

Congrats on the first Australia Direct!
Great details inside too.

In these comments: "Not coming to MY country first? Waah, I'm a superior country!"
Score one for Australia and New Zealand! Congrats.

@hydeks OBJECTION! slams desk You claim that the New 3DS is not worth the price at all. However, you contradict this statement by insulting Nintendo for releasing it in Australia and New Zealand before other territories. Ergo... points accusingly You should not care about something "not worth it," but you nonetheless act entitled and crabby!

[courtroom murmurs]

Ironically my avatar is Australian. lol lucky mates!

Lol Australia is always one of the last, right? Well, not this time it seems.

A price drop for the WiiU in time for Xmas would also be nice.

The only advantage I see is the new volume slider.

Also SNES colors.

Waaaaiiit... There's a new control pad and better 3D.

I NEED THIS GIMME DAT 3D

With the New Nintendo 3DS XL, instead of having expensive cover plates, you can purchase some Sharpie Paint Pens and paint thinner and make your own design for a lot less.

@T900Kassem Don't forget a better CPU for faster performance and the ability to play higher-quality games... Like Xenoblade Chronicles... But.. IN YOUR POCKET!

@RupeeClock wow I forgot that she comes from another dimension. She uses Australian slang in the comics so that counts, no?

I'll probably be upgrading from my old imported Ambassador US 3DS (but keeping the Ambassador as well).
But darn it, I'd like the XL in white so I can have the Aussie Super Nintendo coloured buttons. Looks pretty good.